Cheap Red Dragon - Director's Edition (DVD) (Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes) (Brett Ratner) Price

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Customer Reviews of Red Dragon - Director's Edition

Excellent Prequel
I believe that this final entry into the Lecter trilogy is superior to both The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal. It portrays an excellent view of how Lecter nearly killed Graham, who then wounded and apprehended his former mentor, and provides some, but not enough of Francis Dolarhyde's Norman Bates-esque upbringing. This film is superb in making Dolarhyde seem as much a victim to the veritable demon on his back as the people he kills. Edward Norton's portrayal of Graham is also great, along with Hopkins' Lecter, who seems to have received much better writing than in the other two films. You truly get to feel that, though Lecter helps Graham, he is still a cold-blooded sociopath, and his rivalry with Graham is well-depicted. This film is adapted well from Thomas Harris' Red Dragon novel, which might be the reason it succeeds so well in its undertaking. The climax is spectacular and worth waiting for. The violence in this film is more implied than explicit, which leaves much of it to the imagination. Though this movie did not frighten me, the atmosphere, aided by the score, gives a dark feeling to all the happenings of the plot. I advise all fans of the first two films, and newcomers to the story to see this film, because it is, though not a masterpiece, still a great movie.

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Surprisingly good.......
I had reservations when first deciding to watch this movie thinking it might be in the same league with "Hannibal" which I found disappointing. Of course, it was pleasing to find that Red Dragon is quite a step above Hannibal and is well done.

Of all the Hannibal Lecter movies in the trilogy, Silence of the Lambs appears to be the benchmark by which all others are judged and for good reason, of course, due to it's enourmous success and excellent production. Red Dragon comes in at a close second.

As for the first attempt above all others, Manhunter was a good shot in the dark to launch the whole series, and although not a bad movie really, Red Dragon gets the job done even better. For diehard fans of Hannibal Lecter though, it is recommended that maybe you watch both Manhunter and Red Dragon as to draw your own conclusions of which will be your favorite.

The movie itself has a great cast with Ed Norton and Anthony Hopkins displaying good chemistry in their interactions. Harvey Keitel is a decent choice for the FBI agent in charge and lastly, Ralph Fiennes does very well as the serial killer. The plot moves at a credible pace throughout the movie and doesn't stagnate as in Hannibal. Last but not least, the special features offered on the DVD are very good with Lecters FBI File (case history and criminal profile) being the best and most interesting of the features.

For all Hannibal fans, and even those with a casual interest in the trilogy, this movie is recommended to you and won't disappoint. Enjoy.

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So, You like the Good Doctor?
Then, Red Dragon is Ok, worth seeing. But, DO NOT MISS "MANHUNTER"!
Aside from some 80's stylings, most notably the closing music over the credits, while still fitting, dates Manhunter, however, appropriately.
Red Dragon is only compelling in that you "Get More", of the book.
The ending is truer.
The acting, and directing is clumsy.
It's difficult to watch Ed Norton fumble through Will Graham's wondeful legacy of Peterson's portrayol in "Manhunter".
Worse still, is watching Anthony Hopkins spew the same lines as Brian Cox, as the "Original" Hannibal Lechtor. Hideous.
Oh, Tony adds his own "Lechtorism's, but, this film is a money grab.
It's odd too, because Dino owns "Manhunter"!!
So, this movie is ONLY a Remake!
When you watch "Manhunter", you will see where Clarissa got her lines.....
"Silence", is the direct descendant of "Manhunter".
And, with Hannibal (the movie, not the book), being left unfinished, there will more than likely be another money grab, hopefully, however, from a book as brilliantly written as the first three.
Make no mistake, Red Dragon exists, simply to "fill a gap" in time, where something can be sold to those of us, who want more "Lechtor".
Manhunter is by far, the superior Movie.
The film's color, and score, all add to the tension, that was only since recaptured in "Silence".
In years to come, Manhunter will stand as the far more mature movie, as it draws on more time honored cinematic core values.

Red Dragon is difficult to watch also, with Lechtor's and Chilton's charachters, hopelessly "Made up" to look as if they're 20 some years younger than (the actors) actually are! It looks silly.
Yes, in the original movie, they were afraid "Red Dragon" would denote a karate film. "Manhunter" is derived from the fact that Will Graham, is Hunting the new serial killer, Frances Dolarhyde.
Bottom Line: I wouldn't advise you miss this movie, if you like the series. But, certainly don't choose this over the real original: "Manhunter". See them both, if you must.....
Dream much, Will?

Pete